Pray for the Mission Trip, July 21, 2024
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This weekend at the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas More, our parish will send-off 65 adults, young adults, and high school youth for our annual Youth Mission Trip.
As you may know, this year we begin a new chapter of this ministry by actually remaining within our own diocese and serving homeowners in need in New Castle, PA. We are working with a non-profit that serves individuals with disabilities, and we will stay at the Villa Maria retreat center. Our work will continue our tradition of major home improvements: we will replace a roof, build a wheelchair ramp, and replace a deck, among other projects. We look forward to sharing pictures and stories from the week when we return.
We are particularly excited this year that 18 of our 32 high schoolers are “rookie” trip participants! We welcome a new cohort of youth to spend time away making friends, having time to learn more about our faith, and especially, serving God by serving others.
As always, we will appreciate your prayers for the week, especially since this is a new location and there are a lot of moving parts. We also are grateful for the financial support of the parish. We have raised over $35,000.00 to support this ministry which includes the expenses for all of the supplies for our work sites besides lodging, meals and transportation. This good work is truly the fruit of the love and generosity of our parish community, reflecting God’s love.
Thank you for your ongoing care of this Youth Mission Trip, and please also include the homeowners we will serve in your prayers.- Mary SwindalPastoral AssociateHeavenly Father, We pray your help and blessings on the members of our upcoming mission trip.We are grateful to you for each person who is taking time out of their busy lives to serve You by serving others.We give thanks to you that You have spoken to their hearts and that they are willing to venture outside of their homes, neighborhoods and comfort zones.We pray that you would provide encouragement to the leaders and organizers of our mission trip.Help them remain faithful with the people and things you’ve entrusted to them. Let them set examples inspeech, life, love and faith. Give them discernment todeal with any problems that may arise. Amen.